St. Patrick’s Religious Education

PARENT NEWSLETTER

Volume XII Issue 7

March 2018

St. Patrick’s Day Family Hooley

Hooley is Irish for party, and our parish will again be having this family friendly celebration of our Patron Saint. On March 14th, all families are invited to enjoy food, entertainment, games, and fun. From 5:00-7:00 in the Parish Center we will be offering corned beef and cabbage, hot dogs and chips, desserts, St. Paddy’s games, and lots of good prizes. The best thing: it’s all FREE. This year’s entertainment is Irish dancing from the Craoi Na Tire dance group around 5:30. Classes are held as normal this night, so when you pick up your child from RE, stay and have a meal and some fun. Or, come early before the 7:00 class. (We recommend 5:30 students attend with their families after class at 6:30 instead of before class at 5:00.)

We need lots of help with this fun event! If you or your 7th-12th grader would like to volunteer that week with prep or that night in the kitchen, dining room, or game area please contact Shane or go to

LoveEd St. Patrick’s is part of an exciting new pilot program for the Archdiocese, offering this program that aims to help parents in discussing human sexuality with their children. This opportunity is offered because we want to give parents the tools to be able to discuss this important topic with their own children. This will be a great resource for parents who are not sure how to have this discussion. It also is important because it offers the Catholic perspective on sexuality that they will not hear from TV, the internet, their friends, or other sources. More info from LoveEd: LoveEd benefits parish and family lifein these positive, meaningful ways: ●Offers a broad foundation for love and relationships, preparing children for successful relationships that include dignity, confidence, purity and so much more ●Empowers parents to teach both the theology and science of human sexuality within the context of God’s loving plan for beauty and life ●Helps young people discover the beauty and the purpose of their sexuality, which is fully articulated in Catholic teaching The end result? ●Informed, protected, and inspired kids! ●Confident, fulfilled parents! ●And with an Imprimatur - there is no need to worry about whether it meets Catholic Doctrine! More info and an introductory video can be found at Look for more information and how to register in the bulletin and in an email next week. Our tentative dates are: April 3rd 7-9pm parent only session April 10th 6-8pm mother/daughter, father/son session for 9-11 year olds April 17th 6-8pm mother/daughter, father/son sessions for 12-14 year olds

Hope of the Poor

Don’t forgetabout the collection boxes that went home before Lent. This year, instead of collecting for Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl, we are collecting for Hope of the Poor. This organization does missionary work in Mexico City with homeless and very poor families and young people. Ministering to those living in the city dumps or on the street they bring food and clothes but also hope and love that the poor so desperately need. These boxes can be filled with part of the kids’ allowance or they might do extra chores to earn some money for their Hope of the Poor box. Parents are also welcome to contribute to this cause in their child’s box. Donations will be collected March 21st & 25th or April 4th & 8th.

As a way to thank the students and help them know what their donations are going to Danny Leger, a missionary with Hope of the Poor, will be visiting the students during class on March 21st & 25th. He will bring inspiring stories and fun songs to help them learn and appreciate the gifts they have given. Parents are more than welcome to join us this day in the commons.

2018-2019 RE Registration

Registration for classes next year will begin March 19th. On that day, forms will be emailed to families I have email addresses for. Forms can also be printed from can be picked up in the RE or parish office. All times and fees will be the same as this year. Remember, classes fill up fast, and are first come first served.

Sign-ups for volunteers will also begin on March 19th. We are always in need of Catechists, office helpers, babysitters, hall & parking lot monitors, and Catechist substitutes. Please contact Shane or turn in the form in interested.

Summer Programs

More info will be available next month, but you are already planning summer activities. This year VBS for pre-schoolers and those entering kindergarten (ages 3-5) will be June 18th-22nd 9-11:30am. TotusTuus for those entering 1st-6th grades will be June 25th-29th 9am-2:30pm. TotusTuus for those entering 7th-12th grades will be June 24th-28th 7-9pm.

Upcoming Events

March

4th – First Communion Family Day (last names M-Z) 11am-1pm

14th – St. Patrick’s Day Family Hooley 5-7pm (classes held as normal)

19th – Registration for 2018-2019 begins

21st/25th – Visit from Danny Leger with Hope of the Poor during class

28th – No Class – Holy Week

April

1st – No Class – Easter

3rd – LoveEd Parent Session 7-9pm

10th – LoveEd Level I Parent/Child Session 6-8pm

14th/15th – First Communion at all Masses

17th – LoveEd Level II Parent/Child Session 6-8pm

May

6th/9th – Last Day

Don’t hesitate to contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns:

Shane Fagan, Director of Religious Education

Phone number: 332-3454

Email:

Fax number: 332-5107

Address: 508 Angus St. Gretna, NE 68028